Thank you for the tribute from the Tenindewa community, to my brother Neil.
Neil embraced all that was Tenindewa; in particular, his beloved farm, Heelan & Co., which he owned in partnership with his brother Brien. Neil arrived on the farm in 1983 and remained there until two hours before he passed away in Mullewa Hospital.
Neil experienced two life altering moments: he was affected by a stroke in 2010 and he was involved in a farm accident in 2011. The latter resulted in his having a leg amputated. Despite these vicissitudes, he remained defiant and determined to manage the farm, demonstrating resilience and stoicism.
Neil was enabled to remain on the farm, due to the selflessness of his brother Brien, who played a pivotal part in his support. Brien frequently made return trips to Perth and Geraldton, in order for Neil to seek medical care, together with providing the vital assistance Neil required.
Neil was further supported by many people, especially his cousin Judith and husband Robert McDonald, who tirelessly visited, providing both company and gastronomic delights, which Neil, who had a sweet tooth, devoured with enthusiasm. Judith’s brother Des Foster and wife Annette also visited to provide support. Neighbours Brad and Darryn Tunbridge provided additional assistance and company. Neil cherished Brad’s visits and ensured that he had an ample supply of his favourite chips and beer. Apparently, Brad’s wife Leo discouraged him from eating chips; consequently, Brad had to keep that part of his visits to Neil, quiet. Daniel Critch and his wife Penny were always prompt to attend to Neil, offering love and care whenever needed. Brendan Weir was another neighbour who was willing to provide assistance when required.
Agronomist and loyal friend, Ralph Papalia, had a very strong friendship with Neil throughout the years. He visited the farm recently to provide care, company and practical assistance during Neil’s last weeks on the farm.
Further support came from former university friends, Rob Miller and John Gardiner, who tirelessly corresponded with Neil, despite obstacles; so much so that John engaged in letter writing to communicate, when phone contact became difficult.
Good friend Eric Robinson has been a lifelong friend to Neil, offering support when he had his stroke and accompanying him to Joondalup Hospital for treatment. Since these events, Eric has been in frequent communication with Neil, despite challenges of his own.
I am uplifted by the recollections of Neil by his friends, who painted a colourful picture of Neil, the raconteur and entertainer who unashamedly, told a risqué joke or two.
Neil was not afraid to take on the establishment, which he did in 2010 when faced with the prospect of the State and Federal Governments planning to run a train line through Heelan and Co. The proposed endeavour was named the Oakajee Port and Rail Project. Took them on Neil did, and together with the support of other farmers, victory was attained.
Many people were attentive to Neil and I thank them and all the Tenindewa community, as well as Mullewa Hospital, for their resolute assistance.
He was a larger-than-life figure in our family who offered much support, love, entertainment and generosity to us all. Rest in peace, Neil. We love you.
Geraldine (McCartney) O’Neill, sister, and nephews, Shannon and Trent O’Neill.
My brother and I have many fond memories of visiting you on the farm . You would entertain us with stories and take us on adventures, all the while spoiling us rotten with treats (a notable nod to the lolly tin my brother and I would raid before going on walks), gifts (the put put boats were a favourite, as we “putted” them around the large puddles that surrounded your farmhouse on rainy days) and your feisty canine companion, the much missed (Tenindewa) Tiger. Breakfasts were often eggs and sausages, and mulligatawny stew, on one occasion. More of a fan of your spearmint shakes, to be honest, but the stew was certainly memorable! It had an affect on one’s stomach, that’s for sure.
We had great fun camping with you on the farm, helping out around the property, such as cleaning the silos (a Power Rangers magazine and a Drumstick icecream for an hour of work, a good deal!) and playing multi-hour sessions of Monopoly, where you always seemed to be the Banker and end up with more money and property than the rest of us. Suspicious….Not to mention a certain game where you collected items from around the farm and asked us to guess what they were. I guessed emu egg as a little tyke..it was emu poo. Close, at least!
You also had a very non PC sense of humour, probably a bit too hard edged for broadcast TV, and were as quick witted as they came!
You had a very challenging last 14.5 years and yet were so strong through it all. We and our mother, your devoted sister Geraldine, are so grateful to have had the opportunity to provide support and comfort during this time. We appreciate all you have done for us and will miss you dearly.
To those who knew Neil, he was a warm, engaging, charismatic, quick-witted, mischievous and larger than life character who lit up every room he entered.
My brother and I have many happy memories of trips to the family farm every school holidays as we revelled in Neil’s stories, his love for the farm, the Tenindewa/Mullewa community and his unwavering loyalty to his family and friends.
Prior to entering farming, Neil was an established and successful lawyer both in Perth and in Geraldton. It was through these experiences that he developed a taste for fine food, fine wine and accumulated a vast collection of colourful and humorous stories.
As children, Neil would regularly take my brother and I, as passengers in his tractor, whilst he undertook seeding and harvesting of the paddocks. We also went on frequent day trips to Mullewa and attended barbecues and camping trips at one of Neil’s favourites spots on the farm, the Ridge. He took us on camping trips and adventures to Mount Augustus, Sandstone and Cue, along with our extended family, the Fosters and the McDonalds. After a particularly celebratory barbecue just outside Sandstone, Neil and cousin Robert serenaded us with a boisterous performance of “Home On The Range”. It was quite the show!
We also engaged in fierce table tennis tournaments in the shearing shed. Neil was a a fierce opponent, determined to win at all costs.. We held engaging debates about Aussies Rules and the Australian cricket team, as well as discussing our mutual appreciation for the music of Johnny Cash. Neil was a rabid Kevin Bloody Wilson fan and enthusiastically participated in my singalongs, at the kitchen table.
Neil will be greatly missed and always remembered, a true trailblazer in the family with an unrivalled intellect and charisma.
Comments
Thank you for the tribute from the Tenindewa community, to my brother Neil.
Neil embraced all that was Tenindewa; in particular, his beloved farm, Heelan & Co., which he owned in partnership with his brother Brien. Neil arrived on the farm in 1983 and remained there until two hours before he passed away in Mullewa Hospital.
Neil experienced two life altering moments: he was affected by a stroke in 2010 and he was involved in a farm accident in 2011. The latter resulted in his having a leg amputated. Despite these vicissitudes, he remained defiant and determined to manage the farm, demonstrating resilience and stoicism.
Neil was enabled to remain on the farm, due to the selflessness of his brother Brien, who played a pivotal part in his support. Brien frequently made return trips to Perth and Geraldton, in order for Neil to seek medical care, together with providing the vital assistance Neil required.
Neil was further supported by many people, especially his cousin Judith and husband Robert McDonald, who tirelessly visited, providing both company and gastronomic delights, which Neil, who had a sweet tooth, devoured with enthusiasm. Judith’s brother Des Foster and wife Annette also visited to provide support. Neighbours Brad and Darryn Tunbridge provided additional assistance and company. Neil cherished Brad’s visits and ensured that he had an ample supply of his favourite chips and beer. Apparently, Brad’s wife Leo discouraged him from eating chips; consequently, Brad had to keep that part of his visits to Neil, quiet. Daniel Critch and his wife Penny were always prompt to attend to Neil, offering love and care whenever needed. Brendan Weir was another neighbour who was willing to provide assistance when required.
Agronomist and loyal friend, Ralph Papalia, had a very strong friendship with Neil throughout the years. He visited the farm recently to provide care, company and practical assistance during Neil’s last weeks on the farm.
Further support came from former university friends, Rob Miller and John Gardiner, who tirelessly corresponded with Neil, despite obstacles; so much so that John engaged in letter writing to communicate, when phone contact became difficult.
Good friend Eric Robinson has been a lifelong friend to Neil, offering support when he had his stroke and accompanying him to Joondalup Hospital for treatment. Since these events, Eric has been in frequent communication with Neil, despite challenges of his own.
I am uplifted by the recollections of Neil by his friends, who painted a colourful picture of Neil, the raconteur and entertainer who unashamedly, told a risqué joke or two.
Neil was not afraid to take on the establishment, which he did in 2010 when faced with the prospect of the State and Federal Governments planning to run a train line through Heelan and Co. The proposed endeavour was named the Oakajee Port and Rail Project. Took them on Neil did, and together with the support of other farmers, victory was attained.
Many people were attentive to Neil and I thank them and all the Tenindewa community, as well as Mullewa Hospital, for their resolute assistance.
He was a larger-than-life figure in our family who offered much support, love, entertainment and generosity to us all. Rest in peace, Neil. We love you.
Geraldine (McCartney) O’Neill, sister, and nephews, Shannon and Trent O’Neill.
Rest in peace, Uncle Neil McCartney.
My brother and I have many fond memories of visiting you on the farm . You would entertain us with stories and take us on adventures, all the while spoiling us rotten with treats (a notable nod to the lolly tin my brother and I would raid before going on walks), gifts (the put put boats were a favourite, as we “putted” them around the large puddles that surrounded your farmhouse on rainy days) and your feisty canine companion, the much missed (Tenindewa) Tiger. Breakfasts were often eggs and sausages, and mulligatawny stew, on one occasion. More of a fan of your spearmint shakes, to be honest, but the stew was certainly memorable! It had an affect on one’s stomach, that’s for sure.
We had great fun camping with you on the farm, helping out around the property, such as cleaning the silos (a Power Rangers magazine and a Drumstick icecream for an hour of work, a good deal!) and playing multi-hour sessions of Monopoly, where you always seemed to be the Banker and end up with more money and property than the rest of us. Suspicious….Not to mention a certain game where you collected items from around the farm and asked us to guess what they were. I guessed emu egg as a little tyke..it was emu poo. Close, at least!
You also had a very non PC sense of humour, probably a bit too hard edged for broadcast TV, and were as quick witted as they came!
You had a very challenging last 14.5 years and yet were so strong through it all. We and our mother, your devoted sister Geraldine, are so grateful to have had the opportunity to provide support and comfort during this time. We appreciate all you have done for us and will miss you dearly.
Love, your knuckleheads. (Shannon and Trent)
Rest in peace, our beloved Neil.
To those who knew Neil, he was a warm, engaging, charismatic, quick-witted, mischievous and larger than life character who lit up every room he entered.
My brother and I have many happy memories of trips to the family farm every school holidays as we revelled in Neil’s stories, his love for the farm, the Tenindewa/Mullewa community and his unwavering loyalty to his family and friends.
Prior to entering farming, Neil was an established and successful lawyer both in Perth and in Geraldton. It was through these experiences that he developed a taste for fine food, fine wine and accumulated a vast collection of colourful and humorous stories.
As children, Neil would regularly take my brother and I, as passengers in his tractor, whilst he undertook seeding and harvesting of the paddocks. We also went on frequent day trips to Mullewa and attended barbecues and camping trips at one of Neil’s favourites spots on the farm, the Ridge. He took us on camping trips and adventures to Mount Augustus, Sandstone and Cue, along with our extended family, the Fosters and the McDonalds. After a particularly celebratory barbecue just outside Sandstone, Neil and cousin Robert serenaded us with a boisterous performance of “Home On The Range”. It was quite the show!
We also engaged in fierce table tennis tournaments in the shearing shed. Neil was a a fierce opponent, determined to win at all costs.. We held engaging debates about Aussies Rules and the Australian cricket team, as well as discussing our mutual appreciation for the music of Johnny Cash. Neil was a rabid Kevin Bloody Wilson fan and enthusiastically participated in my singalongs, at the kitchen table.
Neil will be greatly missed and always remembered, a true trailblazer in the family with an unrivalled intellect and charisma.
Love you mate, Trent.
Thank you all for painting that wonderful picture of Neil